Airport Loop Trails

Airport Loop/Table Top Trails #211/212, Bandit Trail, Brewer Trail

The trail circles the upper slope of Airport Mesa (Table Top Mountain), described clockwise here. There is no shade until reaching the last mile where it is intermittent depending on season and time of day. From the parking area, climb to the southeast about 100 yards to the top of the small saddle (Airport Saddle- GPS coordinates: N34° 51' 24.2274", W111° 46' 45.912").

Turn right to pick up the trail which immediately bends to the left to follow the southeast slope of the mesa. There are great red rock views from northeast to south over lower Oak Creek Valley. It is a mostly level trail for the first mile and then it begins a gradual and then moderate ascent over basalt boulders to the top of the south corner of the mesa at 1.4 miles. The trail levels out, turns north and follows the airport perimeter fence for a time. It drops down to cross a small wash and climbs out to the west where it intersects the Table Top Trail at 1.7 miles.

The Table Top Trail is a half-mile (one-way) spur which climbs gradually on a finger of land extending to the southeast. It ends at at point with great panoramic views taking in the Red Rock Loop Road area to the west and many of the area's most noted formations all around. Return by the same route to the main trail and continue north. Soon, the trail begins a moderate descent and turns to the northeast. Just past the 2 mile mark, the trail intersects the top of the Bandit Trail on the left which leads down into West Sedona. As you continue ahead, the trail descends some more and levels out after a switchback. The final stretch of the trail is a gradual climb eastward.

The views here are over West Sedona and of Capitol Butte and Wilson Mountain. (Click here for larger view of West Sedona from Airport Road.) The trail ends at Airport Road across from the starting point at the parking turnout.

Recreation Map

Activities

Bicycling

SHOW

Mountain Biking

This West Sedona ride is a very popular hiking trail that provides a 360 degree look of the Sedona landscape. This ride is not for beginners or intermediate riders due to the inhospitable vegetation encroaching on the trail and the very rocky nature of the ride. Ride the loop in a counter clockwise direction even though the arrow shows the ride in a clockwise direction.

The parking lot is on the left (south) side of Airport Road and the trail starts across the road from the upper end of the parking lot. After you lift your bike over the guard rail, on the north edge of the road ride the trail in a westerly direction. At the intersection with the Sunset Trail take the Airport trail left in the uphill direction. Follow this section of trail where you will top out and be provided a great 180 degree view to the north, west and south.

After topping out you continue level for approximately 150 yards at which point the trail will pass the Table Top trail to your right. Table Top is a very rugged out and back trail that is only recommended for advanced or better riders. Continue in a southerly direction, where there are numerous cactus plants next to the edge of the trail and large round rocks that either border the trail or are in the middle of the trail. Continue on the trail until ending up back at the saddle on the east side of the mesa where you will be completing your loop.